The article I chose from the Diigo Teacher Librarian as Leader group that resonated with me was: What does Trust Look Like in a School? by Michelle Blanchet.
Blanchet outlines 8 ways to show trust. They are:
1. Recognise excellence
2. Give meaningful challenges
3. Encourage autonomy
4. Let teachers pursue their passions
5. Be clear and transparent
6. Nurture relationships
7. Invest in whole-person growth
8. Show vulnerability
I believe these points listed are essential to any workplace, as they allow professionals the opportunity and space to thrive in what they do. Specifically in relation to schools, trust helps to develop a whole school connected culture, whereby staff are working towards common goals and pursuits. In developing this whole school culture, I feel that trust needs to be embodied in the management team for it to effectively be filtered down to staff and fully embraced.
This article, as well as the video clip further along in Module 1, where Ezard (2015) suggests five tips for building trust, makes reference to the neuroscience of the brain. The ideas explored are all connecting habits which help to develop and nurture genuine, meaningful and authentic relationships; which in turn, floods the brain with positive hormones/neurotransmitters.
References
Blanchet, M. (2022, February 1). What does trust look like in a school? Edutopia. https://www.edutopia.org/article/what-does-trust-look-school
Ezard, T. (2015, July 27). Building trust and collaboration – Tracey Ezard [Video]. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U7fif2DHi60